"And now she will just settle down forever at that wretched Niendorf, for there is no turning her when she has once made up her mind."
"Heaven forgive me, she has the Baumhagen obstinacy in full measure; I know what I have suffered from it."
"This Linden is handsome," remarked Jenny, taking no notice of the violent weeping. "Goodness, what a stir it will make through the town! She might have taken some one else. But did I not always tell you, mamma, that she was sure to do something foolish?"
"Arthur!" she cried to her husband who had just come in, "just fancy, Gertrude has engaged herself to that--Linden."
"The devil she has!" escaped Arthur Fredericks' lips.
"Tell me, my dear son, what do you know about him? You must have heard something at the Club, or--"
Mrs. Baumhagen had let her handkerchief fall, and was gazing with a look of woe at her son-in-law.
"Oh, he is a nice fellow enough, but poor as a church mouse. He knows what he is about when he makes up to Gertrude. Confound it! If I had known what he was up to, I would never have asked him here."
"Yes, and she declares she will not give him up," said Jenny.
"I believe that, without any assurances from you; she is your sister. When you have once got a thing into your head--well, I know what happens."